BMW's new electric SUV concept is loaded with impressive tech - here's a look at its best features

Brian PascusSep 25, 2018, 01:16 IST

BMW

BMW recently unveiled an electric concept SUV, the Vision iNEXT, with plans for the vehicle to enter the market in 2021.

The vehicle will feature technology that includes autonomous driving, voice control activation, single-touch input response technology, and a projector light that can beam out images, moving content, or interactive video graphics.

BMW says the car will be highly automated, fully connected, and completely emission-free.

"The iNEXT project will provide our building blocks for the future, from which the entire company and all of its brands are set to benefit," said Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management at the BMW Group.

BMW recently unveiled an electric concept SUV, the Vision iNEXT, with plans for the vehicle to enter the market in 2021.

The BMW Vision iNEXT is the German carmaker's next step in intelligent-drive development, as the car will be highly automated, fully connected, and completely emission-free.

In a public statement at an annual BMW General Meeting in May, Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management at the BMW Group said, "The iNEXT project will provide our building blocks for the future, from which the entire company and all of its brands are set to benefit."

The Vision iNEXT follows the line started by BMW "i" in 2007 and BMW "i3" from 2013, two models which used electric powertrain technology.

More than anything, it is the three "Shy Tech" visionary applications that will make the BMW Vision iNEXT a trailblazer in the future development of automobiles

First, there is the Intelligent Personal Assistant, an integrated digital world linked with smart devices that respond to voice commands by the driver. There is also Intelligent Materials, a single-touch functionality that allows the car to respond to various hand or touch gestures a passenger makes upon the seats with their fingers as if they were inputs. Finally, there is Intelligent Beam, a projection light that beams images, moving content, or interactive video graphics at the simple command of the driver or passenger.

The BMW Vision iNEXT will be equipped with other impressive aspects. Cameras will take the place of exterior mirrors, and touch-sensitive graphics will take the place of door-handles. iNEXT drivers can choose to either use "Boost" mode to drive themselves or "Ease" mode to be driven by the car's technology. BMW says that "Boost" mode is a virtually silent driving experience that exerts zero-emissions from the car.

While in "Ease" mode, the steering wheel retracts slightly into the dashboard, and the display panels change into "Exploration Mode" which allows passengers to digitally explore activities in their surrounding environment as the car cruises along.

"The BMW Vision iNEXT represents a new era of sheer driving pleasure," Krüger said in the public statement. "It underlines the leading role Germany plays in the future of mobility."

The BMW Vision iNEXT SUV is just around the corner.

The car is painted in a "Liquid Greyrose Copper," which changed shades from warm copper to dark rose depending on the light.

The car is painted in a "Liquid Greyrose Copper," which changed shades from warm copper to dark rose depending on the light.

Here it is in dark rose. The dynamic sculpted forms and two-box proportions with a long roofline highlight the ample space inside the passenger cabin.

Here it is in dark rose. The dynamic sculpted forms and two-box proportions with a long roofline highlight the ample space inside the passenger cabin.

The car features a long glass panel covering the roof, allowing sunlight to come in through the car, while the wide driver's window offers an unobstructed view.

The car features a long glass panel covering the roof, allowing sunlight to come in through the car, while the wide driver's window offers an unobstructed view.

Along with super-slim headlights, the car boasts a large, interlinked double-kidney grille.

Along with super-slim headlights, the car boasts a large, interlinked double-kidney grille.

There is no traditional combustion engine inside that requires cooling, so the kidney element now serves as an “intelligence panel” housing various sensors that make the car an autonomous vehicle.

There is no traditional combustion engine inside that requires cooling, so the kidney element now serves as an “intelligence panel” housing various sensors that make the car an autonomous vehicle.

Check out the car at night! Those rear-lights glow in a really cool way.

Check out the car at night! Those rear-lights glow in a really cool way.

Inside the vehicle, Vision iNEXT drivers can choose to either use "Boost" mode to drive themselves or "Ease" mode to be driven by the car's technology.

Inside the vehicle, Vision iNEXT drivers can choose to either use "Boost" mode to drive themselves or "Ease" mode to be driven by the car's technology.

While in "Ease" mode, the steering wheel retracts slightly into the dashboard, and the display panels change into "Exploration Mode" which allows passengers to explore their surroundings while the car drives them.

While in "Ease" mode, the steering wheel retracts slightly into the dashboard, and the display panels change into "Exploration Mode" which allows passengers to explore their surroundings while the car drives them.

BMW boasts that "Boost" mode is a virtually silent driving experience that exerts zero-emissions from the car.

BMW boasts that "Boost" mode is a virtually silent driving experience that exerts zero-emissions from the car.

The rear compartment is modeled on a high-end living space with handwoven Enlightened Cloudburst Jacquard cloth.

The rear compartment is modeled on a high-end living space with handwoven Enlightened Cloudburst Jacquard cloth.

The doors will be opened by touch-sensitive illuminated graphics and with no B-pillar separating the front from the back, the doors will open opposite each other.

The doors will be opened by touch-sensitive illuminated graphics and with no B-pillar separating the front from the back, the doors will open opposite each other.